LGBTQIA+ Family Planning: how healthcare organizations can build trust amid external factors

In today’s diverse and evolving society, it’s crucial for healthcare organizations to embrace inclusivity and cater to the unique needs of all individuals. Unfortunately, the LGBTQIA+ community’s experiences and requirements are often overlooked and marginalized, leaving them feeling misunderstood and out of place in many aspects of healthcare – but especially in family planning.

As a human-centricity consultant for Fortune 500 companies – specifically in the field of health and wellness brands, I’ve witnessed firsthand the importance and value of creating an inclusive environment that supports and empowers LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families. But putting this into practice takes focused efforts. 

To begin to explore how healthcare organizations can foster inclusive and supportive systems in the work that they do for LGBTQIA+ communities, it’s first important to identify and understand the existing barriers that individuals in this community face.  

Legal and Financial barriers 

Society at large often fails to address and normalize LGBTQIA+ family planning experiences, which can exacerbate feelings of marginalization and judgment within the community. Moreover, navigating state laws and regulations can present significant challenges for LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking to start or expand their families – whether that be through adoption, sperm, or egg doners, or other alternative conception methods. For example, currently only 29 U.S. states and Washington D.C. have laws in place that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the adoption process.

If individuals are able to navigate the legalities of family planning, the financial implications can become another potential roadblock. The costs associated with assisted reproductive technologies, surrogacy, and adoption can be exorbitant, making it financially challenging for many to achieve their dreams of parenthood. With the average adoption ranging from $20,000 to up to $70,000, sperm donor ranging from $300 – $1,500 per vial, or gestational carriers ranging anywhere between $60,000 and $150,000 – many individuals and couples wishing to start or grow their family require additional support, or it’s simply not possible. 

Systematic and structural barrier

While traditional prenatal and birthing care is often covered or partially covered by health insurance, fertility treatments such as IVF, IUI, sperm or egg donors, or other non-traditional methods are not. There is great opportunity for healthcare organizations to create more inclusive insurance policies that cover necessary benefits and treatments, alleviating the financial strain and fostering a more equitable approach to family planning.

Additionally, employers have an opportunity to create a more inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ employees through benefits that encompass adoption leave and assistance, fertility treatment leave, and other forms of leave that look different than the traditional parental leave. 

We are seeing a growing number of employers taking note of this, and already making changes. The Society of Human Resource Management’s 2020 Employee Benefits Survey found that 36% of employers surveyed offered paid leave to adoptive parents – which was up 7% from just one year prior. And that trend is only expected to grow in the years to come. 

Societal and emotional barriers

One barrier that cannot be quantified but is arguably one of the most important, is the societal and emotional factors individuals experience when exploring family planning. When embarking on their family planning journey, members of the LGBTQIA+ community may find themselves grappling with some degree of feeling marginalized, judged, or out of place and many may also face non-acceptance from family or friends. And because of this, they may not know where to start, whom to approach, or what options are available to them. 

The lack of accessible information and trusted resources adds to their frustration and anxiety. Unlike some cisgender couples, LGBTQIA+ individuals can often lack the support of an extended family, which further compounds the challenges they face. 

It’s imperative for healthcare organizations to bridge this information gap by providing clear and comprehensive guidance, outlining available options, and connecting LGBTQIA+ individuals with knowledgeable professionals who can support them throughout the process – mentally and physically.

Recognition, Understanding, and Tailored Support

Every individual, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves to feel acknowledged, understood, and supported in their family planning journey. LGBTQIA+ individuals seek the same hope, excitement, and understanding that cisgender individuals experience. 

It is crucial for healthcare organizations to recognize the uniqueness of LGBTQIA+ situations and tailor their services and information to reflect a diverse mix of families. 

Practices as ‘simple’ as incorporating inclusive language and imagery can go a long way in fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance and build loyalty for the organization. Additionally, doctors, nurses, insurers, and employers must strive to provide a safe and comfortable environment where LGBTQIA+ individuals feel their backgrounds, situations, and family dynamics are respected and taken into consideration. It is no longer an optional box to check off from a DEI-perspective, but a necessity in building a human-centered organization.

The Takeaway

As we move towards a more inclusive society, healthcare organizations have a pivotal role to play in supporting the family planning needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Unfortunately, addressing the legal and political barriers, while important, are slow moving changes that need greater societal adoption. Organizations, however, can control how they support and show up for this community, and in doing so, influence other organizations to do the same. 

By addressing the challenges faced by this community, healthcare organizations can create a safe and welcoming environment where LGBTQIA+ individuals feel empowered to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and family planning. It is through empathy, understanding, and personalized support that we can build a healthcare system that meets the needs of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Together, let us pave the way for a future where everyone feels recognized, supported, and valued throughout their family planning experience.